Now Commenting On:

Choo not headed to DL yet

4/21/14: Shin-Soo Choo appears to injure his ankle running to first in the top of the 7th and exits the game before the bottom of the inning

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

OAKLAND -- Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is dealing with a sprained left ankle but is not going on the disabled list just yet. The Rangers, relieved that Choo is not dealing with a more serious high ankle sprain, are going to give him three days off and re-evaluate on Friday.

"These type of players, you want to give them every opportunity to play if the medical staff is hopeful that it won't be too long," Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "We're hoping this is an indication we're headed in the right direction as far as the injuries. We were overdue for some good news from the medical staff. We feel optimistic Choo will be on the field soon."

Choo had to leave Monday's game in the seventh inning when he landed on first base at a bad ankle with his foot while trying to beat out an infield hit. He is not expected to play either Tuesday or Wednesday against the Athletics and the Rangers are off on Thursday. They open a three-game series with the Mariners on Friday in Seattle.

"We're treating this as day to day and we'll see where he is leading into the Seattle series," Levine said.

The Rangers did make a roster move on Tuesday. Pitcher Hector Noesi was designated for assignment to make room for Nick Martinez, who started on Tuesday night. That also opens up a spot on the 40-man roster if the Rangers want to call up an outfielder from Triple-A Round Rock. With Jim Adduci and Engel Beltre on the disabled list, the Rangers don't have another healthy outfielder on the 40-man roster besides what's already at the Major League level.

Bryan Petersen is hitting .270 with five home runs and 19 RBIs at Round Rock. He has a .337 on-base percentage and a .581 slugging percentage. Brad Snyder is hitting .270 with five home runs, 12 RBIs, a .357 on-base percentage and a .514 slugging percentage. Both could be options if the Rangers need an outfielder. Both are left-handed hitters.